OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries (OASIS), which include third and fourth degree perineal tears in primigravida in routine versus selective mediolateral episiotomy. Secondly, to determine the rate of episiotomy in local settings. METHODS This randomized control trial was carried out in the labor ward of a tertiary hospital of the Universiti Kebangsaan...

OBJECTIVE To describe the use of episiotomy among Vietnamese-born women in Australia, including risk factors for, and pregnancy outcomes associated with, episiotomy. METHODS This population-based, retrospective cohort study included data on 598 305 singleton, term (i.e. ≥ 37 weeks' gestation) and vertex-presenting vaginal births between 2001 and 2010. Data were obtained from linked, validated...

PURPOSE The object of this study was to determine factors leading to episiotomy in low-risk vaginal deliveries, including a comparison of family physicians with obstetricians. The research was also to assess the incidence of episiotomy in a large community hospital and compare it with a national rate of 40%. METHODS A retrospective cohort design was used with computerized records from one hos...

BACKGROUND Episiotomy remains a routine procedure at childbirth in many South-East Asian countries but the reasons for this are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge of, attitudes towards and experience of episiotomy use among clinicians in Viet Nam. METHODS All obstetricians and midwives who provide delivery care at Hung Vuong Hospital were surveyed about their practi...

CONTEXT Episiotomy at the time of vaginal birth is common. Practice patterns vary widely, as do professional opinions about maternal risks and benefits associated with routine use. OBJECTIVE To systematically review the best evidence available about maternal outcomes of routine vs restrictive use of episiotomy. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We searched MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied...

BACKGROUND Despite all the evidence corroborating the selective use of episiotomy and although routine use of the procedure is contraindicated, there are no evidences corroborating if episiotomy is necessary in any circumstance. The present clinical randomized trial was performed to compare maternal and perinatal outcomes in women submitted to a non-episiotomy protocol versus one of selective e...

Background. National episiotomy guidelines state that restricted use is preferable, but the indications for this selective performance are not firmly defined, and the benefits are not clearly determined. Objective. To examine the attitudes of Israeli midwives and doctors towards episiotomy use and to review these in light of the relevant professional literature. Methods. Using anonymous questio...

OBJECTIVE To analyze the incidence of chronic pain 5 months after episiotomy, as well as potential prognostic factors. METHODS A prospective cohort observational study was conducted on pregnant women age≥18 years who had undergone an episiotomy. The presence of pain was evaluated in the area of episiotomy at 24 and 48 h of delivery using a structured face-to-face questionnaire, and by telepho...

Although extensively applied in obstetrics practice to facilitate delivery by increasing the vaginal birth conduit, most episiotomy studies are in the context of short- or medium-term outcomes, and the number of studies investigating the long-term effects is insufficient. Episiotomy is often considered associated with urinary and/or anal incontinence and dyspareunia; however, there is no concre...

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of EMLA cream and lidocaine injection to reduce pain during episiotomy repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 46 primiparous women with normal pregnancy who referred for normal vaginal delivery and needed episiotomy repair were selected and randomly divided into two groups. For EMLA group, one hour before the estimated time of delivery, 5g of EMLA cream was...